Thanks to E-Lit at the Berkeley Amoeba store for the run down on the latest batch of new/recent hip-hop releases to arrive on Amoeba's shelves in both CD and vinyl formats. Not too surprisingly the much talked about brand new Eminem album, that dropped on Tuesday, is the top seller of the week at the Telegraph Ave. store. The follow up to his Recovery album from summer 2010 Eminem's brand new album, which comes in both regular CD and Deluxe CD versions but so far no vinyl even though its title is "LP," is a sequel of sorts to the 8 Mile rapper's breakout release The Marshall Mathers LP that was released thirteen and a half years ago. With even the cover art (see above and right for original) an exact continuation of that mega hit album (it has sold 21 million copies to date) Eminem is clearly trying to regain the momentum and feel of that May 2000 release and the good news is that he certainly appears to be successful in taking it back stylistically to his older rap style and vibe - even channeling his old Slim Shady alter ego on the new album. So far on social media outlets like Twitter Em fans have weighed in on the new release, that was leaked a few days early, and they seem to be really feeling it; and way more than any of his recent years releases such as the aforementioned Recovery. With executive production credits going toDr. Dre andRick Rubin the production and beats are distinctly up-tempo and rock-based while guests on the new album includeKendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Skylar Grey, and Nate Reuss - the lead singer of the band Fun.

After releasing a series of sought after 10” singles, DJ Nu-Mark of Jurassic 5 drops his long-awaited official long-player. The album pits Nu-Mark’s simple funky production next to a diverse range of soul and hip hop artists, including Charles Bradley, Aloe Blacc, J-Live, Quantic, and Large Professor! Soul with a twist. Broken Sunlight on Hot Plate Records is a triple disc release that includes a second disc with instrumentals, acapellas and clean versions and a DVD with a feature film on Nu-Mark’s life on the road. All in time for the holidays!

2) S3Supa Soul Shit (Melting Pot Music)

This new import CD/LP is the brainchild of Kansas City soul singer Miles Bonny and European beat maven Brenk Sinatra. Miles Bonny croons some smooth soulful tunes over Brenk’s equally buttery production, which mixes dreamy electronic beats with some nice soul samples. Fans of Frank Ocean will likely lose their shit over this one!